Food truck vendors are finding it difficult to stay afloat with high inflation rates and steady competition on and off the streets. While some licensed vendors hold permits that guarantee a spot on some of Toronto’s busiest streets, most aren’t afforded the same luxury. According to city data, just 14 food trucks hold a R55 Curb Lane Vending Permit, a series of permits that are considered coveted, because they no longer exist. Officially grandfathered, the city of Toronto phased out such permits in 2014, replacing them with the
R54 Mobile Vending Permit. Under this— there are no dedicated spaces and trucks are only allowed to operate for 5 hours in a 24-hour day.
Randy Kangal from Randy’s Roti and Doubles Food Truck says with the cost of living high, hefty permit fees and labour expenses, it’s nearly impossible to survive on just five hours of work.
Local journalist Mia Johnson went out to the city’s first in-person street vending bylaw review where residents were invited to share their ideas on making the current bylaws more accessible. This is what she found.